ks4 History

Learning about past events and the people who’ve influenced history will allow you to understand how the world got to the point it’s at now and how it will continue to develop in the future. Apart from studying a wide range of exciting historic periods, you’ll learn a range of handy skills that will help you with A-levels and future work. These include excellent communication and writing skills, how to construct an argument, research and problem solving skills, investigation and problem-solving skills and analytical and interpretation skills.

 This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. GCSE History students must take assessments in both of the following papers in the same series:

• Paper 1: Understanding the modern world
• Paper 2: Shaping the nation

Paper 1 GCSE History content comprises the following elements:

Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

This period study focuses on the development of Germany during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of democracy and dictatorship – the development and collapse of democracy and the rise and fall of Nazism. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in influencing change. They will also look at the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and the impact the developments had on them.

Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918–1939

This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different individuals and states including the Great Powers. It looks at concepts such as national self-determination, ideas of internationalism and the challenges of revising the peace settlement. It focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it. This study also considers the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change, as well as how they were affected by and influenced international relations.

Paper 2 GCSE History content comprises the following elements:

 

Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day

This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how the identity of the people of Britain has been shaped by their interaction with the wider world. It will consider invasions and conquests. It will also study the country’s relationship with Europe and the wider world. It will consider the ebb and flow of peoples into and out of Britain and evaluate their motives and achievements. It considers the causes, impact and legacy of Empire upon the ruled and the ruling in the context of Britain’s acquisition and retreat from Empire.

Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 (British depth study)

This option allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth I’s reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies. Students will be examined on a specific site in depth – The Globe Theatre, London for 2019. The site will relate to the content of the rest of this depth study. It is intended that study of different historic environments will enrich students’ understanding of Elizabethan England.

 

 

KS5 History Blurb:

The KS5 History curriculum will develop students into analytical, aware and confident Historians who have the skills and knowledge to take their study of History beyond KS5 and into Higher Education. The study of this History curriculum is of paramount importance as through the content and skills taught in lessons, the home learning tasks given and the assessments carried out students will become accustomed to carrying out critical analysis, retaining large amounts of complex information and working to strict deadlines. All these historical skills will not only prepare them for further study of History but will also allow suitably prepare them for life within the working world.

 

In depth information about KS5 History:

The exams within History A level are linear. This means that all exams will take place at the end of Year 13. The coursework will also be submitted in Year 13.

 

Year 12:

Paper 1: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c1917-96

This option comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the dramatic political, economic and social transformation of the USA in the twentieth century, an era that saw the USA challenged by the consequences of political, economic and social inequalities at home and of its involvement in international conflict. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented as themes spanning a significant duration: 1917-80. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question, which is contextualised by, and runs on from, the themes: what impact the Reagan presidency had on the USA in the years 1981–96.

• 30% of the total A level marks
• Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
• Marks available: 60
• Students answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.
• Sections A and B comprise a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in breadth (AO1).
• Section C comprises one compulsory question that assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations (AO3).

 

Paper 2: India, c1914-48: The Road to Independence

This option comprises a study in depth of the transition of the Indian sub-continent from a colony to independence. The gaining of Indian independence influenced both the nature of civil rights campaigning and the search for national self-determination throughout the world. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the changing relationship between Britain and India from the outbreak of the First World War to the achievement of independence for the Indian sub-continent, and of the reasons for this, with particular reference to Indian nationalism.

• 20% of A level  
• Written examination, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Marks available: 40
• Students answer two questions: one from Section A and one from Section B.
• Section A comprises one compulsory question for the option studied, based on two sources. It assesses source analysis and evaluation skills (AO2).
• Section B comprises a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in depth (AO1).

Year 13:

Paper 3: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763-1914

This option comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes and give students the opportunity to develop skills in analysing and evaluating source material. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the nature of the British Empire from the loss of America up to the outbreak of the First World War. The Breadth Study covers the whole Unit and takes a thematic approach to ‘Britannia ruling the waves’. The Depth Study highlights the difficulties inherent in the government of an Empire spread across such vast distances.

• 30% of A level.
• Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
• Marks available: 60
• Students answer three questions: one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.
• Sections B and C comprise a choice of essays that assess understanding of the period in breadth (AO1).
• Section A comprises one compulsory question that assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations (AO3).

Coursework: Appeasement

The assignment will assess the ability to carry out a historical enquiry, analysing and evaluating historical interpretations, and organising and communicating findings (AO1/AO3). The purpose of this coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a chosen question, problem or issue as part of an independently researched assignment. The focus is on understanding the nature and purpose of the work of the historian. Students will be required to form a critical view based on relevant reading on the question, problem or issue. They will also be specifically required to analyse, explain and evaluate the interpretations of three historians.

• 20% of A level.
• Word limit: between 3000 and 4000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography).